Importers Should Update Info

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is getting ready to set up automatic GSP refund processing for entries during the most recent lapse in the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program.  The refund process is set for Mid-July, but before then, importers need to update their payment information including mailing addresses and ACH numbers within ACE.  U.S. Customs prefers that information to be updated electronically, otherwise, refunds will be extremely delayed. In fact, on March 23, 2018, the President signed into law, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act 2018,” which in addition to providing full-year federal appropriations through September 30, 2018, extended GSP with retroactivity, for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020. The new law, effective April 22, 2018, also provided for retroactive refund of all duties to the importer of record on GSP-eligible goods entered during the January 1, 2018 through April 21, 2018 lapse period. View full document and details here.

Expect Mid-July

According to International Trade Today, “That midsummer time frame is when CBP will likely wrap up the first phase of its GSP refund processing for GSP-eligible entries filed in ABI with Special Program Indicator “A.” Some 95 percent to 97 percent of filers fall within this first, automatic processing category,” a CBP official said on an ACE call in April.  Phases Two and Three, as well as Post Summary Correction and Section 232 (aluminum and steel) are outlined below, as well from a snippet from CBP’s website.  Note, “although Brazil and Argentina are GSP countries, they are exempt from Section 232 per the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) Chapter 99, Subchapter III, U.S. Notes 16(a) and 19(a); therefore they may claim GSP.  Also note, certain items from India and Philippines are not eligible for GSP (certain solar cells, solar panels, washing machines, and washing machine parts).

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According to International Trade Today, “Congress set a deadline of Sept. 19, 2018, for post-importation claims on entries during the lapse, so even if a protest is filed within the 180-day period for protests but after that Sept. 19 deadline, such protests will be denied, [a] CBP official said.”

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Dedicated Import Rep or email consulting@scarbrough-intl.com.